SLT connects UGC, 13 universities with IP-VPN links

Ruwanthi ABEYAKOON

TELECOM SECTOR: Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) will provide connectivity to the University Grants Commission (UGC) and 13 universities islandwide with 10 Mbps IP-VPN links by January 2007.

"Our partnership with IRQUE (Improving Relevance and Quality of Undergraduate Education) demonstrates SLT's commitment to collaboration and excellence in education. SLT's technology will enhance these educational applications," CEO, Sri Lanka Telecom Shuhei Anan said at the launch of Lanka Education and Research Network (LEARN) and Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS).

Anan said that together with the Ministry of Education SLT will create a stronger resource for students and their universities across the country.

"Education is universal and now it is student centric. So it is not necessary for a student to go into a classroom to learn," he said.

He added that SLT will invest heavily in rural areas to upgrade the skills of the employees.

LEARN Technical Manager Dr. Nimal Ratnayake said many links are congested at present. "Our aim is to inter connect universities and research centres to enable e-learning activities and remote learning.

It will also provide video conferencing, video streaming and broadband Internet access for academics and students," he said.

Ratnayake added that 14 links will be upgraded in January 2007 to 10 Mbps over optical fibre.

"The enhanced LEARN network represents a breakthrough in using educational content to refine personalised student instruction," Secretary to the Ministry of Education Ariyaratne Hewage said.

He also said that this network will respond to the growing need for faster Internet access to assist in operating educational matters.